9mm loading dilemma

[slushee]

So i just started loading for my 9mm Smith M&P9 .. Remington Brass, Remington Small Pistol Primers and VN-350 (5.1 grains) .. cheated a little and using the lee dippers..

I started by buying 100 Hornady FMJ/RN 124 grain bullets to top off with. Plan to shoot my first reloads tonight.

Sadly, I am realizing I will NEVER be able to find these Hornady rounds in my particular area...

A quick search shows 1000 Campro plated bullets for $120 at my local gun shop, 1000 AIM plated bullets for $94 (+ tax/shipping) and 1000 frontier plated bullets for $89 (+shipping/taxes) ..

Firstly, what's the difference between full metal jacket and copper plated? Secondly which bullets would you all go for?

I see in my Lee reloading manual the recipie for Jacketed and Plated bullets using vn-350 is almost identical (starting load only being different by 0.1 grains of powder and max load being identical). So I am assuming of course I should be able to use the same recipie as before.

Anyhow, this being my first time loading for 9mm Luger, please feel free to post any information you may think I need to know.

 

[tiriaq]

Jacketed bullets have an actual jacket stamped from guilding metal, into which a lead core is swaged. The plated bullets are just that - a lead core electroplated with copper. The plating is much thinner than an actual jacket.
In addition to Campro, Frontier and Aim plated bullets, there are also Wolf.
I primarily load plated bullets, and cannot complain. Jacketed bullets tend to be more expensive than plated ones.
A thousand bullets weigh about 18 lbs. You might want to check on shipping cost.
Also consider tax implications if you order out of province.
Good idea to refer to your manual for loads. Jacketed/lead/plated bullets of the same weight do not necessarily use the same loads.

 

[Canuck223]

You probably should concider moving to a faster burning powder. VV N320 is probably a better fit.

Plated bullets are as the name suggests, plated. The copper plating goes over a lead core. ####ty plated bullets are sized then plated. Better plated bullets are sized, then plated, then resized.

Jacketed bullets use a thicker jacket of copper/zinc into which a lead core is pressed.

Jacketed bullets hold together at higher velocities and pressures than plated. They tend to be more consistant. They also tend to be more expensive.

I load Frontier 147's and have had excellent results. I have 2k of AIM bullets ready to load next.

 

[CeeZer]

When you start shooting a minimum of 200rds per range visit (300-700 average) then you'll come to a realization that you need to find a way to minimize your expenses.
I'd say Titghgroup, WST, Bullseye, W231/HP38 and 700X are cheaper than VV320 and are well suited for 115gr bullets, especially plated ones.
For 124/125gr bullets - VV330 or cheaper Power Pistol, Unique, Universal or SR-7625 do well.
For 147gr - VV340 and cheaper WSF and SR-4756.
Frontier, AIM, Berry's - all those plated bullets are cheaper than FMJ and are of good quality, whichever you can find at lower price and in needed quantity.

Keep in mind you may in future load practice and match ammo and keep them as close as possible to each other in performance but where practice one will be cheaper to load.

Check out Higginson as their prices on Frontier bullets didn't jump yet as opposed to Marstar. Also, to minimize shipping costs (via Canada Post who has a limit of 66lbs per package) - order bullets in 4K batches.